Leafy Eats & Thai Streets: A Vegetarian's Guide to Thailand

A food lover's paradise, Thailand is famous for its bold, aromatic flavours, with its

food tourism industry sizzling at $32 billion in 2024! But for those skipping meat and fish, navigating this culinary wonderland can be a spicy challenge.

As a lifelong vegetarian and frequent traveller to Thailand, I know firsthand the challenges of finding meat-free meals-especially on a tight budget.

Beyond meat and fish, Thai cuisine often incorporates fish sauce, oyster sauce, and shrimp paste, making it tricky for vegetarians - especially in less touristy areas. Even

staple dishes like Pad Thai and Thai Green Curry frequently contain these hidden ingredients.

I am vegetarian - Chan gin mangsawerat kaa (female) /krab (Male)

No fish sauce - Mai sai naam bplaa kaa (female) / krab (male)

However, with the right know-how, vegetarians can still enjoy Thailand's bold and unique flavours without compromising their diet.

Learn basic Thai

Knowing some basic Thai phrases can unlock a whole new culinary experience in

Thailand. Try asking for a Thai Green Curry or a Pad Thai but with no fish sauce

(nam pla), oyster sauce (nam man hoy), or shrimp paste (kapi).

Jay Food

Look for yellow and red signs on food packaging and restaurants that indicate that

the food contains no animal products, i.e. it's vegan! This traditional food originates

from Taoist practices in China and was introduced to Thailand by Chinese immigrants many years

ago.

Traditionally Thai-vegan dishes

• Tofu Satay

• Vegetable spring rolls (po piah jay)

• Coconut pancakes (khanom krok)

• Mango sticky rice (khao niew mamuang)

Best places to eat

Bangkok - Phahurat Market:

Celebrated for its vibrant array of budget-friendly vegetarian and vegan delights

Phuket - Vegetarian Festival:

Also known as the 'Nine Emperor Gods' festival, this Taoist celebration features an array of vegan food and is typically held in September or October.

Chiang Mai - Restaurants

As the 'vegan capital of Asia, Chiang Mai has plenty of vegetarian-friendly

restaurants to choose from. Why not try out Bee Vegan or Pink House Garden?

By Amber Lowen